Floyd Mayweather Jr., center left, and Conor McGregor pose for photographers during a news conference Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, in Las Vegas. The two are scheduled to fight in a boxing match Saturday in Las Vegas.AP Photo - John Locher

McGregor vs. Mayweather: Why is there such a fuss?

SOME of us prefer to ignore physical violence, unless it involves a cat hiding in a cupboard and bitch-slapping another cat.

But no matter how hard you try to bury your head in the pacifist sand, it's almost impossible to avoid the big ol' rumble that is taking place this weekend between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor.

So here is a guide for people who want to get involved (because this "event" gives us all a legitimate reason to be at the pub before sundown, and what's not to like about that) but have no idea why it's such a big deal in the first place.

Who even are these people?

Floyd Mayweather Jr., left, and Conor McGregor pose for photographers during a news conference Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, in Las Vegas. The two are scheduled to fight in a boxing match Saturday in Las Vegas.AP Photo - John Locher

Floyd Mayweather, 40, is the undefeated former welterweight boxing champion. He has been lured out of retirement for this special punch-on. As Mayweather said himself, "That's what makes this fight so intriguing, I've been out a few years, feel like I've lost a few steps."

Irishman Conor McGregor, 29, is a superstar of mixed martial arts' Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). That's one of the interesting things about this fight - he comes from a different discipline all together. It's a little bit like sending Shane Warne off to compete in the archery at the Olympics.

But the fact that he comes from a different sport altogether doesn't seem to be bothering McGregor, as this charmingly unhinged quote from the media tour shows: "I have adapted perfectly to boxing, I am very pleased and ready. I'm a special man, I will prove that August 26, this will go one or two rounds, maybe I will bang him out and hurt him.

"His little legs, his little core, his little head, I am going to knock him out inside four rounds, mark my words."

Who should you be rooting for?

The underdog, obviously. And that would be Conor McGregor.

Conor McGregor leaves the stage during the arrivals for a boxing match Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017, in Las Vegas. McGregor is scheduled to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a boxing match Saturday in Las Vegas.AP Photo - John Locher

Few experts give McGregor a chance. Mayweather is undefeated and let's face it - he's the only one who has actually ever competed in a boxing match. There's also the matter of experience: Mayweather has been undefeated for 49 fights. The younger McGregor has had a 24-fight career.

The other thing that should put you firmly in McGregor's corner is the fact that he has purchased his baby son a three-piece suit especially for the fight …

... And his smack-talk is second to none (there is a solid language warning on this clip):

Add to that the fact that Floyd Mayweather has a long history of domestic violence and that pretty much seals the deal.

The rules of this fight are a little different

Here's a little knowledge you can drop on fellow viewers to give the impression you have a clue:

The fight will be held under boxing rules, but after initially agreeing to use 10-ounce boxing gloves - instead of the smaller UFC gloves - there's been a late change: both men have got their wish to fight in smaller 8-ounce gloves.

Mayweather has worn 8-ounce gloves most of his career, and McGregor has worn 4-ounce gloves in his UFC fights.

McGregor said the gloves will only speed up the end of the fight, which he earlier predicted wouldn't last four rounds.

When is this circus taking place?

T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. August 26 (August 27 AEST). Exact start time yet to be confirmed but Vegas is 17 hours behind Sydney local time and we anticipate around 2pm on Sunday.

How do I watch it?

Go to a venue that is showing it, or if you are up yourself and you have Foxtel you can watch it from 11am Sunday in the comfort of your own home.

How long do I have to endure this barbarity for?

It will go for 12 three-minute rounds. But one guy might punch the other guy's lights out early, giving us all the option to go and play the pub's claw machine/order a bowl of hot chips instead.

People care because there's a lot of coin riding on it

It's tipped to become the richest fight in history.

In May, the Mayweather-Pacquiao scrap broke the bank, but this will smash pay-per-view records. It's estimated the fight will make about $606.1 million.

Mayweather stands to earn $100 million, while McGregor will make $75m.

Why should you watch it?

So you can bore your grandkids one day with the story of where you were when this iconic fight took place.

With thanks to news.com.au sports editor Jai Bednall for his actual knowledge.